OTLEY teenager Heather Thomas, who has been described as one in a million, is one of two national finalists to be selected by legendary sailing duo Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Sir Ben Ainslie for an epic journey.

The 18-year-old could win a place on the crew on the testing Pacific Ocean leg of the Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race.

The prize, worth more than £10,000, was donated by Clipper Race founder and chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston – the first man to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1968-69 – to the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie helped to establish that charity in memory of his friend and fellow Olympic sailing champion Andrew "Bart" Simpson.

Heather said: "When I was first told the news that I had got through to the final two places of the competition, I was overwhelmed. I never thought when I sent my application that I would get this far.

"I can hardly believe that I may have the possibility to sail across the Pacific and take part in such a prestigious event. I am really looking forward to the Clipper Race training, meeting new people and learning the skills required for yacht racing.

"I feel extremely honoured to have been given this opportunity by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation."

Heather was nominated by Norman Stephens, senior instructor and trustee from Otley Sailing Club, in recognition of all the hard work and commitment she has shown from an early age to actively encourage sailing for all ages and abilities.

Norman said: "Heather is one in a million, and is so deserving of this incredible opportunity. She started sailing with us at the age of seven and became a dinghy instructor by age 16.

"She is always enthusiastic and gives a lot of her spare time to volunteer with everything from the kids club to the adult and disability courses, and has been instrumental in increasing the family membership of our club."

He added: "For the past two years, Heather has also volunteered as a watch leader on the sail training vessel James Cook, run by Ocean Youth Trust North, and has given the majority of her school holidays and many weekends to helping groups, and gaining experience of offshore sailing around the UK's west coast.

"To have this opportunity to sail across the Pacific as part of a team in the Clipper Race would be an incredible, life-changing experience for her."

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: "Heather impressed myself and Sir Ben with her dedication to the local sailing community and her never ending willingness to help and motivate others.

"As Heather has donated so much of her time and energy to encouraging others to push their boundaries, she deserves the chance to find out how far she can push her own."

"On behalf of the Clipper Race, and the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, we wish Heather the best of success during the final selection process. Regardless of who wins the overall prize, she is set for a highly inspiring introduction to ocean racing on board our specially designed Clipper 70 yachts."

The Foundation uses sailing to develop personal skills that improve young people's ability to succeed in life and access jobs and careers in the maritime sector.

Applicants had to be 18 to 24 years old and be nominated by someone else for the experience. The other finalist is 19-year-old Charlie Stannard from Tower Hamlets.

Heather and Charlie will both attend the Clipper Race HQ in Gosport, Hampshire at the end of March 2015 for a selection process which includes extensive on-the-water training.

Following assessment from their skipper, one person will then be announced for the overall prize, which includes three further levels of race training and return flights to China for the start of that race, and return from the race finish in the USA.

The runner-up will also be given the opportunity to complete the full Clipper Race training, worth £5,000 alone.

The Clipper 2015-16 Race starts next August and will be the tenth edition of the world's longest ocean race, also known as one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.

Over 670 people from more than 40 nationalities took part in the last race. The overall route is 40,000 nautical miles and includes up to 16 individually scored races, covering six continents.

The Pacific Ocean leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is 5,500 miles long and will take about one month to complete, starting in Qingdao, China in March 2016, and ending on the West Coast of the USA.

At times, the fleet's closest human neighbours will be the astronauts orbiting above them in the international space station.